FTA Central

And to Reuters, he says many “don’t realize how good it would be to terminate NAFTA because the way you’re going to make the best deal is to terminate NAFTA. But people would like to see me not do that.”

“The level of real GDP would revert to the baseline by 2022, benefitting in part from more accommodative monetary policy after the initial shock.”

The two also discussed NAFTA negotiations, the White House said.

Freeland: Canada “always felt that imposing artificial deadlines was not necessary from the Canadian standpoint.... I thought that was a constructive proposal from the president.”

“We make a good deal on NAFTA, and, say, I’m going to take a small percentage of that money and it’s going toward the wall. Guess what? Mexico’s paying.”

Levin: “So, by just saying 'we are going to keep talking' -- there needs to be solid action. It's as clear as that. It may not be as simple as that but it's as clear as that.”

Recent meetings with farmers and senators from agriculture states have left an impression on President Trump, Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) told Inside U.S. Trade this week, adding that Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer are now well aware of what a NAFTA withdrawal would mean for the U.S. economy.

The White House is considering the impact that walking away from the North American Free Trade Agreement would have on the midterm prospects for Republican candidates in key battleground states as it weighs whether the U.S. should trigger withdrawal, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Backing ISDS, Gerard says “it’s better for the U.S. to strengthen that relationship with Canada and Mexico than to dramatically change it and bring uncertainty to it.”